Press Contact: sfpublicpressworkersguild@gmail.com
PMWG Staff: esteban@mediaworkers.org
SAN FRANCISCO — Workers at non-profit investigative newsroom, San Francisco Public Press have created a union as part of the Pacific Media Workers Guild Local 39521, joining the nationwide labor movement for a stronger media system. It follows in the footsteps of other local newsrooms which have unionized recently. They have been voluntarily recognized by management.
“I love this work and I want this newsroom to thrive,” said Audrey Mei Yi Brown, a reporter. “I hope to set up the Public Press to be sustainable and retain its talented, passionate staff long-term.”
Seeking a greater voice in the newsroom, a supermajority of eligible staff signed union authorization cards and a mission statement in support of forming the San Francisco Public Press Workers Guild. It is urgent that journalists working to address information gaps have a voice to advocate for fairness, accountability and equity.
“So much of our reporting centers on recognizing the dignity and rights of people in our communities,” said Madison Alvarado, a reporter at the organization for nearly five years. “I believe a union will help further that mission a little closer to home.”
Since 2009, the San Francisco Public Press has produced award-winning work on a variety of systemic issues facing the city including homelessness and environmental inequities.
“A union gives us the stability to do our job better,” said Zhe Wu, a community beat reporter. “Knowing we have each other’s backs, especially as we see increasing threats on immigration, allows me to focus on what matters.”
San Francisco Public Press guild members said their organizing effort is rooted in the same values that define their journalism: transparency, accountability, consistency and rigor. Their organizing effort was guided by increased transparency, a stronger editorial voice, fair pay and protections, and a sustainable work-life balance.
“I want to unionize because I care about the future of this workplace. I believe in the mission of our organization, and I also believe the people carrying out that mission deserve a strong voice in the conditions of their work,” said Sylvie Sturm, an audio journalist.
The Pacific Media Workers Guild, Local 39521 of The NewsGuild — Communications Workers of America represents journalists and media workers across the United States. Interviews with organizing committee members and staff can be arranged by contacting sfpublicpressworkersguild@gmail.com
🧵 We are unionized! We are the staff of the San Francisco Public Press, a nonprofit investigative newsroom dedicated to breaking the surface level on deeply rooted issues in the city. We just formed a union and got voluntary recognition from our management!
— San Francisco Public Press Workers Guild (@sfppworkersguild.bsky.social) July 1, 2026 at 5:10 PM